Ironer unit



T. R. SMITH IRONER UNIT '7 Sheets-Sheet l f Filed Dec. 4\ 1948 \w%\ QQ NQ r ----IIZHH.. nmuuuhnnnwnnlnh., ---i twwlillw Hl l w@ lm m ww S f NN WW mh .Nw u QM f n O Q@ m@ wm h @u m Q n f rw@ -M .mii ,Hhuni L 1 Y .HHHH 1.1! El- NJN a a l. .NQ m

March 31, 1953 T. R. SMITH 2,632,967

IRONER UNIT Filed Dec. 4, 194s 7 sheets-shea 2 INVENroR.l

March 3l, 1953 Filed Dec. 4, 1948 T. R. SMITH IRONER UNIT 7 sheets-sheetf 5 T. R. SMITH IRONER UNIT March 31, 1953 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 4, 1948 I N V EN TOR. V20/mmf? ffm/2%,

T. R. SMITH IRONER UNIT March 31, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 4, 1948 V INVENTOR. f/wnmji ffi, Me/

March 31, 1953 T. R. SMITH 2,632,967

IRONER UNIT Filed Dec. 4. 1948 7 sheets-sheet e IN VEN TOR.

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March 31, 4 T. R. SMITH IRONER UNIT Filed Deo. 4, 1948 I 7 sheets-sheet '7 llllllllllllllllllll l IN V EN T01?.

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Patented Mar. 3l, 1953 IRoNER UNIT Thomas R. Smith, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application December 4, 1948, Serial No. 6,544

Y claims.

s The present invention relates to power transmitting devices and more particularly to such devices for use in ironer units and the like.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a power transmitting device wherein the power output may be readily and conveniently controlled with respect to thepower input forldriving any desired instrumentality at varying speeds.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel power transmitting device wherein 'means' is provided'on the output side for transmitting full power for operating any desired mechanism and additional means is provided on the output side thereof for transmitting variable pwer'to some other mechanismin accordance with the adjustment of a variable speed device incorporated therein.

Still'another object of the present invention is to provide a power transmitting device as immediately hereinabove described wherein a flexible friction clutch device is incorporated in driving relation to said full power transmitting means on the output side thereof whereby power in 4and wherein further means is provided on the `2 nism as hereinabove described which is adapted to yieldably transmit pressure in varying amounts between two instrumentalities such, for-example, as the shoe and roll of an ironer unit, thus serving as a safety device in preventing the building up of excessive pressure therebetween whic output side thereof in the form of a eXible friotion clutch mechanism whereby torque in varying amounts may be taken from said device for operating some instrumentality, as,`for example, ap-

plying a shoe at varying pressures to said roll. Y

speed of the roll and to apply the Yshoe at varying pressures to said roll.

The present invention is further characterized as having novel means incorporated in the variable speed device whereby the drive therethrough is 'rendered inoperative in its zero torque transmit- ,ting position to facilitate the operation of any instrumentality connected in driving relation thereto at the output side thereof.

A still further object of the invention -is `to Vprovide a resilient torque transmitting device associated with the flexible friction clutch mechamight otherwise damage the machine. I

Other objects, features, capabilities and advantages are comprehended by the invention, as will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby Referring to the drawings: Y'

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an ironer unit embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional View taken in a plane adjacent the right hand end of the ironer unit shown in Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure, 3 is a transverse cross-sectional View similar to that shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, but taken in a plane substantially midway between the ends of the ironer unit shown in Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through the power transmission mechanism for the ironer shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings;

Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken in the plane represented by line 5 5 of Figure 4 of the drawings;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view disclosing a suitable manual control for the ironer shoe of the ironer unit;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view showing a modified form of manual control for the ironer shoe of the ironer unit;

Figure 8 is a top plan View of a modified construction for the power transmitting unit adapted for use in an ironer unit such as shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings; Y

Figure 9 is a view in end elevation of the power transmitting unit shown in Figure 8 of the drawings; and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken in the plane represented by line lll-I0 of Figure 9 of the drawings. s

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, an ironer unit embodying the present invention is disclosed in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings as embodying a roll 2, a shoe 4, and power transmitting mechanism, generally referred to as 6, adapted to be controlled by an operator for rotating the roll 2 at varying speeds and for applying the shoe t atvarying pressures to clothes and other such articles passing over the roll. The

aesaeev 3 operating mechanisms for the ironer unit, including those specifically mentioned above, are mounted upon and supported by a frame structure which encloses certain of said mechanisms. This frame structure more particularly includes a bottom structural unit 8 and a top structural unit l interconnected by means of the front, back and side panels l2, le and le and IS, respectively, to form an enclosure partitioned vertically by the intermediate panels 20 and 22 to form the knee-hole 2| for the operator of the machine. A top panel 23 having suitable openings therein -through which operating mechanism for the roll and shoe passes is provided in association with the top structural unit l@ and serves as a support for material being ironed. The side panels I6 and I8 are further formed with pivotally mounted trays 24 and 26, respectively, which when moved to their horizontal positions are adapted to serve as supports for clothing material, or thevlike, being ironed. Theframe and cabinet construction is such that an operator seated in front of the machine may easily operate the controls for the roll andshoe by his or her feet while leaving vthe hands entirely free to handle thematerial being ironed by the machine. A cover 28, hinged at the rear of the cabinet structure, is provided for completely enclosing the roll and shoe when the machine is not in use,

As shown, theA ironer unit may be moved from` place to place by means of the casters 36 located adjacent each of the corners of the cabinet structure and supported by means of the base structure 8.

The power transmitting mechanism includes a source of power, such as the motor 32 in the present illustration, which is mounted upon a bracket 34 secured to the base structure 8, and has the rotor shaft thereof coupled, as at 36, to shaft 33. The shaft (isis mounted in suitable bearings in a gear casing 40 secured, as by means of bolts 42, or the like, to the top frame structure |Q. The shaft38 is provided with aworm 44 meshing with and driving a worm gear 46 which is secured, as by means of pin 48 or the like, to the shaft 50 journaled adjacent Yone end in al bearing 52 extending inwardly from the wall 54 of the casing and journaled adjacent its other end in the bearing 56 extending outwardly from the wall 58 of the casing. The shaft t extends outwardlybeyond the bearing 55 and has a drum 6|) secured thereto by means of a pin 62, or the like. The drum 601s formed with the end peripheral anges 64 and 66 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described.

Mounted -on the shaft 50 adjacent the bearing 52 is a driving drum 68 having its central hub secured to the shaft by means of a pin 10, or the like; As will be clearly seen, the worm 44 is adapted to drive the worm wheel 46, as well as the drums 60 and 6B, at the Same speed and in the same direction upon operation of the motor 32. Adjacent the drum 68 is provided a driven drum 12 of substantially the same outer diameter as the drum 68 at their contiguous end Dortions and which has a separately formed central n hub 14 secured thereto by means of the bolts T6, or the like. The hub is is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 50 by the needle bearings E3 whereby the drum 'i2 is rotatable about the shaft 5u. A

The drum 'I2 is driven by thev driving drum 68 through a spirally wound fiexibleclutch element 80 which is preferably rectangular in cross section and has an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the driving drum.

This clutch element has one end anchored in any desired manner to the driven drum '|2 and during its inactive condition, is free from Contact with the driving drum 68. However, when the other, or free end of the clutch element is moved in such a way as to contract the same, that portion of the clutch 4element which is wrapped around the driving drum 68 frictionally engages therewith, whereby torque is transmitted from the driving drum to the driven drum. By proper control of the speed of rotation of the free end of the clutch element 80, it is :possible to cause rotation` 'of the driving drum 'i2 at varying speeds up tothefull speed of the driving drum 68.

Formed as an integral part of the hub ill is a sprocket wheel 82 adapted to drive a sprocket chain 84 which passes upwardly from the sprocket wheel 82 through an opening in the top of the casing 4i) and an aligned opening in the top panel 23 and it is adapted to drive the sprocket wheel 85 Xed to the end of the center shaft 88 for the roll 2. This center shaft 88 adjacent the sprocket wheel 86 is suitably mounted in bearings 90 provided in the head 92, which is secured to and extends upwardly from the to'p frame structure i0 and top pan-el 23 and forms a housing for the driving mechanism for the roll 2. The proper tensioning of the chain 84 is effected through the idler sprocket wheel 94 rotatably mounted on a stub shaft extending inwardly from one of the side walls of the head 92. The head 92 has electrical Vcontrol means `93 mounted therein for energizing thedrive motor' 32 and the heating elements inthe shoe 4.

The speed of rotation of the driven drum '12, as well as the roll 2 operatively connected thereto through the sprocket chain 85, is controlled by a variable speed device 96 which comprises a timing gear 98 at its input side mounted upon and secured to the Worm gear 46 by means of the bolts |00, or the like. This timing gear, accordingly, rotates at the same speed and in the same direction as the Worm wheel 46 and meshes with an idler gear |02 mounted upon a stub shaft |04 extending inwardly into the casing 40 from the wall 58. The idler gear |62 meshes with and drives a gear |05 loosely coupled, by the axially arranged splines |06, to the friction disc |03, the friction disc |08, as well as the gear |95, being rotatably mounted upon the shaft |0 secured to and extending inwardly from the wall 58 of the casing 40. The friction disc |08 is biased into cooperative frictional engagement with a friction wheel ||2 by means of the coil spring interposed between the gear |05 and the friction disc |08, the axial movement of the friction disc |08 in the direction of the friction wheel H2 being limited bythe head formed at the end of the shaft ||0. The friction wheel I2 is keyed to, but slidable u'pon, shaft ||6 which has one end thereof journaled in the needle bearings |8 disposed in the end Wall |20 of the casing 40, and the otherend thereof journaled in the needle bearings |22 mounted in the bearing element |24 extending inwardly from the top wall |26 of the casing 40. Mounted on and secured to the shaft ||6 on one side of the bearing element |24 is a bevel pinion |28 held in proper meshing relation with a ring gear |30 by means of the collar |3| which is mounted upon and secured to the shaft I6 on the other side of the bearing element |24. The ring gear |30 is cup-shaped and is formed with a central hub |32 for rotatably mounting the ring `gear on the bearing 52. Thrust washers |34 are interposed between the hub |32 and the yhub of the driving drum 88 for positioning the ring gear in the assembly. Y

The friction wheel I I2 is moved along the shaf ||6 at an angle of 90 to the axis of rotation of thefriction dis-c |08 by means of a shifting fork |36 having a lug |30 depending therefrom, to which is connected one end of a spiral spring |40. Theother end of the spiral spring is anchored or connected to the lug or projection |42 extending inwardly of the wall 50 of the housing 40, the

said spiral spring being wound to normally exert' a force tending to move the friction wheel |I2 to the left, as viewed in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings. Movement of the friction wheel I |2 to the left beyond its neutral position in opposed relation to the shaft I I is limited, howeverby a `stop member |44 extending inwardly from'` the *wal154 of the casing which is adapted to engage with the shifting fork |36. i

The friction wheel I|2 is shifted radially with respect to the friction Adisc |08 by means of the movable rod |86 connected to the shifting fork The rod I 46 is mounted adjacent one end in the stop lug |04 and adjacent its other end in the wall |20 and has the outer end thereof connected to a ycable |08 which passes over pulley |50 and has its other end connected, as at |52, to the lever or crank-arm |50.

The ring gear |30 is provided with an inward- -ly extending lug |56 which is adapted to engage a notch or, recess in the free end of the flexible clutch element 80, so that as the ring gear is rotatedby the variable speed device in the same direction as the driving drum 08, the lug |50 moves the free end of the flexible clutch element to start winding the same into engagement with the outer cylindrical surface of the driving drum.

`As soon as sufficient movement has been applied .i to the flexible clutch element t0 engage the drivthe timing gear S8, the same will rotate at a yconstant speed. When the friction wheel I I2 is in the position as shown in Figure and in the dottedy position in Figure l of the drawings, the

same will be rotated at its maximum speed inasmuch as the same is at the periphery of the.

friction disc |08. Consequently, the bevel gear |28 rotates the ring gear |30 at its maximum speed. Under these conditions, the lug |56 on the ring gear |30 is moved in such a manner as to cause the flexible clutch member 80 to wind up and grip the driving drum' 68 over its entire periphery and this will cause the driven drum 12 to rotate at its maximum speed and to ltransmit maximum torque which, under the condil tions present, will be the same as for the drivingj `drum 68.

It is `also to be noted that under these conditions the driving and driven drums, as well as the ,ring gear, are all rotated at the same speed and in the same direction. Furthermore,

the speed of rotation of the driven drum 12 and.

the ring gear |30 will always be substantially the same under varying vspeed conditions, while the speed of the driving drum 88 will always be substantially constant.

When the friction wheel ||2 is returned t0 its which the roll 2 may be easily turned manually,

the central portion of the `friction disc |08 is recessed axially', as at |58, so that there is no positive engagement between the friction disc |08 and friction wheel ||2 when the friction wheel I I2 is in its neutral position. This neutral posi- Vtion is the position'the friction wheel ||2 will normally; take when the operator is not ironing, or desires to stop one particular ironing operation.`

Aswill be apparent, downward movement of the lever |54, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, cau-ses the shifting fork |36 to move the friction wheel ;||2 toward the outer periphery ofthe friction disc I 08. As the friction wheel leaves its'central position, it is rotated relatively slowly by the disc |08 because the circumferential speed of the contacting surface is low and, accordingly, the ring gear |30 is rotated in accordance with the position of the friction Wheel ||2 with respect to the friction disc |08. As the ring gear moves, it causes the friction clutch member to wind up and grip the driving drum 68, which in turn delivers torque to the driven drum '12, as .previously described. 'This causes the driven drum to rotate at substantially the speed of the ring gear |30 and the amount of slippage between the driven drum `88 and Vthe clutch member 80 is increased or decreased depending upon control conditions. If the speed of` rotation of the driven gear tends to get ahead of, or be faster than the ring gear, the clutch member 80 automatically releases its'gripv toa slightV extent on the driving drum 68 to cause slippage which will reduce the speed of the driven drum 12 to the speed of the ring gear |30. In a similar manner, should the speed of the driven drum 12 be -slower than the speed of the ring gear |30, the ring gear will cause the clutch member 80 to tighten its grip slightly on the driving drum 68, whereby the speed of the driven drum is increased to correspond substantially to the speed of the ring gear. It will be seen that the ironing roll is rotated at a speed substantially equal to the speed of rotation of the ring gear |30 and that the speed of rotation of the ring gear is a function of the peripheral velocity of the friction wheel ||2, which is dependent upon its relative position with respect to the constantly rotated friction disc |08.

Loosely wrapped about the drum 60 between the 4peripheral flanges 64 and 66 is a friction clutch element |60 which has one end thereof connected to a link |62 pivotally connected to a. crank arm or lever |64, the other end thereof being pivotally secured, as at |66, to one end of the lever |68 which is fixed at one end to crank shaft |10 journaled in bearings |12 and |14 depending from the top frame structure |0. Rotary movement of the shaft 10 is transferred through a clutch |18` to one end of a spirally wound preloaded spring |18 mounted co-axi-ally on the shaft |10. The opposite end of the spring |18 engages the hub |80 of a standard I 82 pivoted for movement about shaft |10 and which pivotal- 1y carries the shoe Vl at its upper end.

As will be apparent, as the lever |64 is moved downwardly, the flexible clutch element I 60 is tightened on the constantly rotating drum 60 whereby the lever |68 rotates the crank shaft I 10 which, through the medium of the spirally wound pre-loaded spring |18, moves the stand- 'ard' 132 to cause movement of the shoe 4 toward `the roll 2.

The friction between the drum 60 and the friction clutch element 160 multiplies the original downward force applied to the lever |64` to cause the shoe 4 to move against the ironer roll to apply the proper pressure for vapplied to the crank shaft 110 above that reiquired by the shoe, is absorbed by the spring 118.

When downward pressure is removed from the -lever 164, the. same will release the tension of the clutch element 160 on the drum 60, thus permitting return movement of the shoe 4 away V:from the roll 2.

The crank levers 154 and 164 are controlled by foot pedals 184 and 186, respectively, mounted .upon and. fixed in relation to the concentrically arranged shafts 188 and 100, respectively, extending longitudinally of the ironer unit and which yare journaled in suitable bearingsA depending .from the bottom frame structure 8. The shaft .i813 is journaled adjacent its ends in the bearings i92- and 134 and has the lever 154 connected to .one end thereof which extendsl to the right loeyond the bearing 1,94. The shaft 198, in the form .of a. sleeve, is journaled in the bearing 19B adjacent one end and in the bearing 191i adjacent its other end, the said shaft or sleeve extending lto the right Vbeyond the bearing 138 and being connected to the lever 1164.

The shoe 4, aswell as the control for the clutch elementy 160 may be returned to their normal position whereby the shoe 4 is Aout of cooperative association with the roll 2 and the clutch element 166 is out. of its gripping relation with the drum 62 by either of the two assemblies shown diagrammatically in Figures 6 and 7. As shown in Figure 6, downward movement of the foot pedal 186 rotates sleeve 190 to move the crankarm 164 downwardly to tighten the flexible clutch element 160 about the drum 60. This `danses .downward movement of the lever 168 which, through the action of the spr-ing 178, cau-ses the standard 182 to be pivoted about the sha-ft 1110 to move the shoe v4 into pressing relation with Ythe roll 2. In this arrangement for the .control mechanism, when pressure is removed from the foot pedal 86, the lower crankarm 164 moves upwardly under the action -of the spring `260 to release the flexible clutch element '160 and, at the same time, the spring 202 causes the. ironer shoe 4 to be moved away from the roll 2.

`It is possi-ble, however, to eliminate the preloaded spring 118 in the control mechanism, as illustrated in Figure '7 of the drawings, and to connect the crank-shaft |68 directly to the standard 182 for the ironer shoe 4 by providing a scale spring V2,114 between the crank-arm 164 and the clutch element ,160, so that the drag of the clutch element can never exceed the pull of the spring 284. As in the illustration shown in Figure 6 .of the drawings, the spring 202 is used *in this modified form of control for releasing theV 8 .shoe 4 from the roll when pressure is removed from the foot pedal |86.

,If desired, the power transmitting device for operating the roll and shoe of the ironer unit may take the form as shown in Figures 8 to 10, inclusive, of the drawings, wherein the power drive is through a shaft 206 driven at relatively high speed by any source of power, such as an electric motor or the like. This shaft. is mounted in a gea-r casing 208 in which there is provided a multiple reduction gear unit- 210 adapted to drive a shaft 212 at a. relatively low speed. This shaft extends outwardly beyond the casing 208 in substantial alignment with the input shaft 206, andhas a cylindrical drum 214 connected there,- to by means of a pin 216, or the like, This drum corresponds to drinnV 60 .of the previously described embodiment and is` adapted to have a flexible clutch element, such as the 1clutch ele,- ment 160, wrapped around the .same for the purpose of moving the ironer shoe against the roll by manual manipulation of the flexible clutch element, all. as described in the previous illustration of the invention.

The drive shaft 212 also has a second drum 218 connected thereto. by means of a pin 220, or the like. Needle bearings 222 are provided adjacent the end of the shaft 212 to provide a rotatable mounting for a drum 224 fixed to the end. of a driven shaft 226, which is in substantial alignment with the shaft 212. The drums 218 and 22.4 have external friction surfaces .of substantially the same. diameter and are embraced by a spirally wound friction clutch element 228 of the same type as shown in the previously described embodiment, and which normally has clearance with the driving drum. The shaft 226 carries a pin 280 adapted to .engage the axially disposed end 232 of the flexible clutch element 228, whereby a driving connection may be effected between the driving drum 218 and the driven drum 224 connected to the driven shaft 226. Shaft 226 may have a sprocket wheel mounted thereon whereby the ironer roll may be rotated at varying speeds through the medium of a sprocket chain, all as hereinbefore described.

In this illustration of the invention, the ilexible clutch element 228 is controlled by the ring gear 234, mounted in embracing relation to the flexible clutch element 228-, and which is provided with alug `236 adapted to engage in a notch or recess provided in the free end of the clutch element. 223 to control the frictional clutching relation between the friction clutch element 228 and vdrurn 218' whereby the shaft 226 is rotated at Varying speeds in accordance with the speed of rotation of the ring gear 234. A variable speed device for controlling the operation of the ring gear 234, conforming in a good many respects to the Variable speed device of the first described embodiment, is provided in this modified structure to effect a variable drive between the driving shaft 212 and the driven shaft 226. Such variable speed device comprises a friction disc 238 mounted for axial movement in the end wall of casing 208 and being driven through the reduction gearing by means of the gear 240, the friction disc being biased into frictional engagement with the friction wheel 242 by means of the spring 24.4. The friction wheel 242 is keyed to, but slidable upon, the shaft 246 mounted, as at 248 and 250 on Vthe bracket 2.52, secured as by means of the screws 254 on the housing 208. The shaft 246 has the pinion 256 mounted adjacent one end thereof which meshes with and rotates the ring gear 234. Friction wheel 242 is shifted axially of the shaft 246 by the shifting fork 258 which may-be controlled in a manner heretofore described in connection with the control of the shifter fork |36 of the previously described embodiment. i, i y

- VAs inthe preferred form of the invention, the friction disc l 238 is centrally recessed at 260, wherebythe ironer roll may be conveniently and easily rotated whenthe friction wheel 242 is in its neutral position. The operation of this modiiiedform for the power transmitting device is substantially the same as the preferred form of the invention, `the drive for shaft 226 being varied asdesired by control of the relative position of friction wheel 242y with respect to the friction disc 238, whereby the ironer roll can be operated atgvarying speeds as desired by the operator. As'in the first described embodiment, the control of the ironer roll, as well as the ironer shoe, may be eected `bymeans of foot pedals conveniently disposed for operation by the operator at the front of the machine.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings` shown illustrative embodiments of the invention, itis to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the r spirit of the invention.

It is claimed:

1. In a power transmitting device, the comn vJoination of driving means including a driving shaft, adjacently disposed driving and driven drums mounted coaxially with respect 4to said shaft, means for connecting one of said drums in driving relation to said driving shaft, a iiexible clutch element ofthe coil type embracing said drums, said clutch element being connected ad- .jacent one end thereof to said driven drum and ,being adapted to frictionally engage said driving drum, 9, variable speed device having a driv en-v element connected to the other end of said clutch element adapted to be coaxially driven in the same direction as said driving drum to control the extent of contraction of said clutch .element Aon said drum to effect a variable drive fromsaid driving drum to said driven drum, and l'means for rotating the coaxial element of said variable speed device at a maximum speed equal vto the speed of said driving drum from said driving shaft.

2. In a power transmitting device, the combination of a driving member and a driven member,

la flexible clutch element of the coil type embracing' lsaid driving and driven members, said clutchelement being connected adjacent one end 'thereof to said driven member and being adapted to frictionally engage said driving member, a

variable speed device having a driven element extent of contraction of said clutch element on said driven member to effect a variable drive from said driving member to said driven member,

and means for rotating said driven element at a maximum speed equal to that of said driving `member.

3. In a power -transmitting mechanism, the

`combination of a driving shaft, adjacently disposed driving and driven drums mounted coaxially with respect to said shaft, means for connecting one of said drums in driving relation to said driving shaft, means for rotatably mountfoo ing the other of said drums with respect to said shaft, a flexible clutch element of the coil type, embracing said drums, said clutch element being secured adjacent one end to said driven drum and being adapted to frictionally engage said driving drum, a variable speed device having a driven element connected to they other end of said clutch element adapted to be coaxially driven in the same direction as said driving drum tooontrol the extent of contraction of said clutch element on said drum to effect a variable drive from said driving drum to said driven drum, and means for rotating the coaxial element of said variable speed device at a maximum speed equal to the speed of said driving drum from said .driving shaft.

4. In a power transmitting mechanism, the combination of a driving member and ardriven member, a flexible clutch element of the coil type secured adjacent one .end thereof to said driven member and adapted to frictionally enfgage said driving member, a variable speed devicev including driving and driven elements, said driven element being mounted coaxially with respect to said driven member, means for operatively connecting said driven element to the other end of said clutch element, means for driving said variable speed device whereby said driven element is rotated in the same direction of rotation as said driving member to control the frictional contact pressure of said clutch element on said driving member, said driven element having a maximum speed equal to that of said driving member, and means for rendering the driving connection between said driving and driven elements inoperative substantially at zero speed of said driven element.

5. Ina power transmitting mechanism, the combination of a driving member and a driven member, a fiexible clutch element of the coil type secured adjacent one end thereof to said driven member and adapted to frictionally engage said driving member, a variable speed device having a driving connection at its output side with the other end of said clutch element, said driving connection including a driven element mounted coaxially with respect to said driven member and rotatable in the same direction as said driven member, means for driving said variable speed device, said variable speed device including a disc, a wheel member having peripheral frictional engagement with the face' of said disc, and means for moving said wheel member radially with respect to said disc memberwhereby the tially in opposed relation to the axis of said disc member.

6. In a power transmitting mechanism, `the combination of a driving member and a driven 'memben a iiexible clutch element of the vcoil type secured adjacent one end thereof to said driven member and adapted to frictionally engage 'said driving member, a variable speed device having a driving connection at its output side with the other end of said clutch element,V said .driving connection including a driven Aelement `mounted coaxially with respect to said driven member and rotatable inthe same direction Vas said driven member, means for driving said variable speed device, said variable speed device ,including a disc, a wheel member having peripheral frictional engagement-with the face of said disc, means forLnormally positioning said wheel member whereby the same is substantially in opposed relation to the axis of said disc member, Yand means for moving said wheel member from said normal position radially of said disc member whereby the maximum speed of said driven element is equal to that of said driving member, said disc member having an axially arranged recess for rendering the friction drive between said members inoperative when said Wheel is in said normal position.

'7. In an ironer unit, the combination of a rotatable roll, a shoe mounted formovement into and out of cooperative relation with said roll, va power transmitting device for operating said roll and shoe, vsaid power transmitting device comprising driving means including a rotatable driving member, a rotatable drivenV member for driving said roll, a flexible clutch element of the coil type connected adjacent one end to said driven'member and being .adapted to irictionally engage said driving member, a variable speed device having a driven element connected to the other "end of said clutch element adapted to be coaxially 'driven in the same direction as said'driving member to control the extent of contraction of Ysaid clutch element on said driving member to effect a variable drive from said driving member'to said driven member, means for rotating lsaid driven element ata maximum speed equal to that of said driving member, and means for moving said shoe into cooperative relation withsaid roll and for varying the pressure "ap- ,plied'by said shoeto said roll'including a flexible clutch element wrapped around said driving member, said last named means further including a 'connection between one end of said last named clutch lelement and Asaid shoe, and means connected to the other Vend of said :lastnamed .clutch element adapted to be operated by the operator Aof theironer unit for varying the cooperative irictional .engagement of vsaid last named clutch element `with said driving member.

8. In an ironer unit, the combination of va rotatable roll, a shoe mounted for movement into and out of cooperative relation `with said roll, ,a power transmitting device for operating said roll Vand shoe, Vsaid Ypower transmitting device comprising driving means including a rotatable driving member, a rotatable driven member for driving said roll, Va iiexible clutch element ofthe coil type 'connected adjacent one end to said driven member and being adapted .to frictionally engage said driving member, a variable speed device having a driven element connected'to the other end of said clutch element `adapted to'be coaxially driven in the same direction as said driving member to control the extent of contraction of said clutch element on said driving member to effect a variable drive from said driving member to said driven member, means for rotating said driven element at a maximum speed equal to that or said driving member, means Vfor .controlling the operation of said variable speed device to vary the rotation of said roll, Vineans .for moving said shoe into cooperative relation with said roll and for varying .the pressure applied by said shoe to said ro'll including `a nexible clutch element wrapped around said driving member, said last named meansfurther including a connection between one end of said last named clutch element and said shoe, and means .connected to the .other end of said last named clutch element adapted to vbe operated bythe operator of the ironer unit for varying the cooperative frictional engagement of said last named clutch element with said driving member.

9. In an ironer unit, the combination of a rotatable roll, a shoe mounted for movement into and out of cooperative relation with said roll, a power transmitting device for operating said roll and shoe, said power transmitting device comprising driving means including a rotatable driving member having'a-drum mounted thereon, a rotatable driven member for driving said roll, a flexible clutch element of the coil type connected 4adjacent one end to said driven member and being adapted to frictionally engage said driving member, a variable speed device having a driven element Vconnected yto the .other end of said clutch element adapted to be coaxially `driven in'the vsame direction as said driving'inember to control the extent-of contraction of said clutch element on said drivingr member to eifect a variable vdrive from said driving member to said drivenmember, mea-ns Afor krotating said driven element at a ymaximum speed equal to that of said driving member, and means for moving said shoe into cooperative relation with said roll and for varying the pressure applied by said shoe to said roll, said last named means including la flexible clutch element wrapped around 'said drum, said last named means further including a connection between one end of said last named clutch element Vand said shoe, and means connected to the other end of said last named clutch 'element adapted to be operated by the operator of the ironer unit yfor varying the cooperative frictionalengagement of said last named clutch element with said drum, said connection having a resilient torque transmitting device 'interposed'between said last named clutch element and said shoe.

,10. In a power transmitting mechanism, the combination of a source of power including Aa reduction gear mechanism, a driving member rotatably driven by 'said mechanism, a member .driven by said driving member, aexible clutch element .of the coil type secured adjacent one end thereof to said driven member .and adapted to frictionally engagesaid driving member, `a variable speed device driven from said reduction gear mechanism and .having :a driven element connected to the other end of said clutch element adapted to be coaxially driven in the same direction as said driving member to control the extent .of contraction .of said clutch element on said driving member to effect a yvariable drive from said driving member to said driven member, and means for rotating said driven element at a maximum speed equal to the speed or said driving member.

`1'1. `In a power transmitting mechanism, the combination of a source of power including a reduction gear mechanism, a driving 'shaft driven by said mechanism and having a direct power take-oir, .a shaft disposed in substantial alignment with said driving shaft and driven thereby, adjacently disposed drums connected to said driving and driven shafts, a eXible clutch element of the coi1t3me connected adjacent one end to said driven drum and being adaptedto frictionally engage said driving drum, and a variable speed device driven from said reduction gear mechanism having a driven element at its output side embracing said flexible clutch element and being connected to the other end thereof, said driven element being coaxially driven in the same directionas said driving drum to con- I 13 trol the extent of contraction of said clutch element on said drum to effect a variable drive from saiddriving drum t said driven drum, and

means for rotating said driven element at a ber for said shoe, a power transmission with a rotatable I power shaft extending therefrom, a flexible clutch embracing said shaftand having end portions, one of said end portions being connected to said shoe and the other of said end portions being connected to said control member, and yieldable means disposed between said control member and said other end of said clutch for limiting the pressure applied to said surface whereby the operator of the ironer unit may vary the'cooperative frictional engagement of said clutch with said shaft to vary the pressure of said shoe on said pressing surface.

13. In an ironer unit, the combination of a rotatable roll, a shoe mounted for movement into and out of cooperative relation with said roll, a power transmitting device for operating said roll and shoe including a driving member, means connected to said shoe for moving the same into cooperative relation with said roll and for varying the pressure applied by said shoe to said roll, said means including a flexible clutch element wrapped around said driving member, and means connected to said clutch element for varying the cooperative frictional relation between `said clutch element and said driving member, said last named means including control means operable by the operator of the ironer unit for varying the cooperative frictional engagement of said clutch with said driving member to vary the pressure of said shoe onV said roll, and resilient means interposed between said control means and said clutch element.

14. In a power transmission, the combination of driving means including a rotatable substantially constant speed driving member, a rotatable driven member axially aligned with said driving member and adapted to be driven in the same direction but at selected variable speeds, a flexible clutch element of the coil type having one end thereof` secured to said driven member and its other end encompassing said driving member, a variable speed device having a driven element connected to the other end of said clutch element and coaxially rotatable in the same direction with said driving member, and means for rotating said element of said variable speed device in that direction to control the frictional contact pressure of said clutch element on said driving member to drive saiddriven member in the same direction at a speed equal to the speed of said driven element, said driven element having a maximum speed equal to that of said driving member.

15. In a power transmitting mechanism, the combination of a substantially constant speed driving shaft, adjacently disposed driving and driven drums mounted coaxially with respect to said shaft, means for connecting said driving drum to said shaft to rotate therewith, means for rotatably mounting said driven drum with respect to said shaft, a flexible coil type clutch member encompassing said drums, said clutch member having one end secured to said driven drum and its other end being adapted to frictionally engage said constant speed driving drum, a variable speed device including a constant speed element and a variable speed element, said variable speed element being connected to the other end of said clutch member and coaxially rotatable in the same direction as said driving drum, means for rotating said constant speed element from said constant speed shaft, and means for selecting the speed of rotation of said variable speed element to control the frictional contact pressure between said clutch member Vand driving drum to permit slippageV therebetween to rotate said driven drum at a speed equal to that of said variable speed element, said variable speed element having a maximum speed equal to that of said driving drum.

THOMAS R. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

